Mobile phones proliferated In Venice people were walking down the streets with their noses in them - they could have been using the map though that sends people in circles int eh little lanes so is a waste of time, sitting in cafes with their noses in them, and the gondoliers played with them while waiting for business rather than the usual touting. How times have changed.
I agree with your statement so much . . . and aren't we all more likely to be enticed by a smiling person inviting us to take a ride than interrupting someone on their phone?
